Russia MPs To Help Arafat Brave Israeli Travel Ban

Reuters ^

[RCW2001]

MOSCOW, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A team of Russian deputies are on their way to Ramallah to help Palestinian President Yasser Arafat get to Bethlehem for an Orthodox Christmas mass despite an Israeli ban, the Palestinian ambassador said on Saturday.

Khairi al-Oridi told Reuters 14 deputies from various factions in the State Duma lower house of parliament were due to arrive at Arafat's headquarters early on Sunday, when the Palestinian leader plans to leave for Bethlehem.

"They will negotiate with the Israeli government and put pressure on it for Arafat to be allowed to go," Oridi said.

Oridi named none of the deputies and Duma officials were not available for comment. It was not clear how they would proceed once in Ramallah and whether any formal meetings with Israelis had been planned.

Israel imposed a travel ban on Arafat last month until he arrested those blamed for killing an Israeli cabinet minister. The Palestinians say they are doing all they can to curb violence.

The ban prevented Arafat from attending Western rite Christmas celebrations in December. Orthodox believers mark Christmas on January 7.

Russia, which along with the United States is a co-sponsor of the stalled Middle East peace process, has criticised Israel for restrictions slapped on Arafat and asked it not to mix religion and politics.

At least 800 Palestinians and 234 Israelis have been killed since the Palestinian uprising began after peace talks crumbled.

((Andrei Shukshin, Moscow Newsroom, +7 095 941 8520, moscow.newsroom@reuters.com))

05 JAN 2002 16:50:52

[Askel5]

Ah ... from the Land of Security Services and militant atheists comes true peace of mind for a Muslim's Orthodox Christmas journey.

Glad these guys are OUR friends.

[lavaroise]

asked it [Israel] not to mix religion and politics.

??? oh, and Arafat is not mixing religion and politics when he pathetically whines in the name of religious freedom to blame Israel.

[Askel5]

Looks like the "former communists" still exercise the prerogatives of their predecessors (well, previous lives, since it's really all the same collective of folks).

Militant atheists have no particular obligation or compunction to tell the truth or be consistent.

Takes the wind out of the sails of the dialectic, comrade.

Yin yank, yin yank, yin yank.

[Sabramerican]

This (Islamic) Arafat is turning into the "leading" Christian.

He wants a part of all the Christian holidays, irrespective of denomination.

He also constantly talks about his struggle to plant the "Palestinian" Flag on all the Churches in Jerusalem.

Any Christians out there object to your new standard bearer?

[MississippiMan]

Yes, I object vehemently to Arafat's involvement.

Also troubled by Russia's poking their nose into this situation. Very odd.

MM

[veronica]

Former Commies hook up with the Marxist PLO? Trying to sell more Stoli to the residents of Gaza?

[VaBthang4]

Who cares...?

Russian MP's arent bulletproof and definitely not feared by the IDF.

[l33t]

MOSCOW. Jan 4 (Interfax) - A delegation of the Russian Friendship and Business Cooperation Society with the Palestinian People will meet with the head of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, in the Palestinian territories over the next few days.

A delegation comprising 11 deputies of the Russian parliament will accompany Arafat to Bethlehem, where Orthodox Christmas services will be held.

The Russian deputies will arrive in Ramallah on January 6.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

They have no business there.......

[Itzlzha]

Wow! With Arafat calling in favors from everywhere, and loads of heretofore unknown support for him to go to Bethlehem...what could possibly be that important for him there?

Is he going to collect the dhimmi taxes?

Who owes him money there?

Is there some weapon there he wants?

Or is his being in Bethlehem some sort of signal to his "associates"?

[rwb]

It says Russian MP's (Members of Parliament). It says nothing about it being an official government-backed visit.
US senators have done similar things without the WhiteHouses backing.

So stuff it.

[rwb]

They have no business there.......

I thought they were the co-sponsors of the "peace process".

[imperator2]

Tell the Russian drunks to keep drinking their stinking vodka, since they will get the beating of their lives if they try to push the Jews around. Israel is not Russia, and the Jews there have the mean to beat the crap out the the dirty Russian drunkards.

[MissAmericanPie]

This isn't good news and bears watching.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Yeah but who's side they on..

[rwb]

Yeah but who's side they on..

They're impartial, like we are.

[monkeyshine]

This may only serve to escalate the tensions. No good can come of it. Arafat being forbidden from going to Bethlehem may be considered by some a slap in the face, or unjust or whatever, but it is a non-violent form of protest. When outside parties come in, and if they try to force the issue by providing a defensive shield for him, it only raises the stakes. Bad all around if they try any of this. Lobbying, fine. But it wouldn't be proper to get themselves arrested.